Flexible support for concrete pipe mold



6, 1969 P. L. WADDINGTON, JR 3,463,426

FLEXIBLE SUPPORT FOR CONCRETE PIPE MOLD Filed Sept. 30, 1966 INVENTOR. if

a Z%ZZZZZ, dflfyldw I AfraW/m'w United States Patent US. Cl. 248-22 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The invention disclosed is a concrete vibrating mold support comprising a plurality of radially, horizontally disposed rails, bracing meansbetween adjacent rails, each rail having a mold supporting tongue adjustably mounted on the rail, and mating pockets for the tongues arranged circumferentially about the lower end of the mold.

This invention relates to concrete pipe making machinery, and in particular, to an improved flexible support for a concrete pipe mold.

The invention is primarily designed as a solution to the problem of providing an adequate support structure for a concrete pipe mold which is vibrated while wet concrete mix is poured into the mold in order to compact the concrete and eliminate the possibility of voids therein. Prior structures are either so rigid that movement of the entire mold about the floor occurs during the vibration operation, or so fragile that collapse of the structure is certain after only short use, or else uneven vibration is imparted to the mold. The present invention allows both even vibration to the mold while providing a sturdy structure that will not fracture after excessive use, besides causing the mold to remain substantially stationary during the vibration operation. Additionally, the support is adjustable to fit molds of varying diameter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is a vibrating mold support comprising a plurality of pockets, radially evenly disposed about the lower circumferential edge of the mold, a plurality of mating tongues for the pockets, a resilient shock absorbing liner in each pocket, and means supporting the tongues, and the mold. This support means comprises at least three beam assemblies, a plurality of braces between adjacent beams, and means adjustable along each beam for supporting a tongue.

Further and 'more detailed objects and advantages of the invention as well as details of construction may be had by reference to the following specification and drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a partial, elevational view of the invention, with parts broken away to show interior detail;

FIGURE 2 is a view taken from the right hand portion of FIG. 1 and drawn to an enlarged scale;

FIGURE 3 is a View taken along lines 533 of FIG. 2;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along lines of 44 of FIG. 2;

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of the base rails and braces of the invention; and

FIGURE 6 is a partial, elevational view of the common center point of the rails.

Referring now to the drawings by reference character, a pipe mold 10 is indicated in FIG. 1, including an inner form 12 and outer form 14. The invention comprises rail structure 16, tongue supports 18, and mating pockets 20.

Rail structure 16 is best illustrated by FIGURES 5 and 6. A plurality of support beam assemblies 22 are arranged radially about a common center, defined by a circular plate 24, to which beams 22 are bolted or otherwise suitably secured. In the preferred form of the in- 'vention, four radial beam assemblies 22 are employed and one beam assembly 22a extends through a diameter of the invention as shown in FIG. 5. Depending on strength requirements as few as three or as many as twelve beam assemblies may be employed.

As illustrated by FIGURE 6, each individual beam 26, a channel beam 28 having webs 30, 30 extending outwardly on either side of the channel (FIG. 3) and a plurality of angle support bars 32 welded to the outer vertical faces of channel beam 28 and to the undersurface of I beam 26. This structure permits a certain amount of vibration to be absorbed by assembly 22 so that channel beams 28 will remain stationary during the vibration operation. Further structural rigidity for beam assemblies 22 is provided by a series of braces 29, welded beneath adjacent I beams 26, and arranged concentrically outwardly from the center plate 24.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, tongue support 18 is shown comprising a base plate 34, a pair of clamp plates 36, 36 extending beneath each upper flange of I beam 26 and clampingly engageable therewith by a number of bolts 38. Also, there are a pair of vertical supports 40, 40 welded to the upper face of base plate 3 4, a pair of gussets 42, 42 for each vertical support '40, and tongue 44, welded through the upper ends of supports 40, 40, and extending inwardly toward the center of the invention. Each tongue support 18 is selectively positionable along its I beam 26 so that the invention may fit pipe molds of varying diameter.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, each tongue 44 is provided with a pocket 20 which is welded to lower reinforcing flange ring 46 about outer pipe form 12. Pockets 20 are Welded to ring 46 at a point where a vertical support 48 meets ring 46, for greatest structural integrity of mold 10 during a vibration operation. Each pocket 20 is provided with an inner lining of shock absorbing material 50 such as rubber, and tongue 44 tightly fits into lining 50. Lining 50 is retained within pocket 20 by a plurality of studs 52.

In a usual concrete pipe making operation, wet concrete is poured in layers into mold 10, between forms 12 and 14. Vibration may be imparted by means of one or more eccentric weight motors secured to the outer wall of form 14 (not shown) in order to tightly compact the concrete and minimize the possibility of voids in the completed pipe. During a vibration operation, most of the shock of vibration will be absorbed by lining 50 within pocket 20. Any residual vibration will be abosrbed by beam assemblies 22. Finally, if it is desirable to use the invention with pipe molds of varying diameters, tongue supports 18 may be adjusted inwardly or outwardly along I beam 26 so as to be equally spaced from center plate 24. In this manner, the center of gravity of the mold may be maintained over center plate 24 in order to prevent any unequal stress forces being imparted. to the invention during a vibration operation.

I claim:

1. A shock absorbing support for a vibratable concrete pipe mold or the like comprising at least three beam assemblies, radially disposed with respect to a common center, in a horizontal plane, a plurality of braces between adjacent beam assemblies, spaced outwardly from said common center, means adjustable along said beam assemblies for supporting a horizontally disposed, inwardly directed tongue, one said supporting means for each said beam, and a plurality of pockets, radially spaced about the lower circumferential border of said mold for receiving said tongues, each said pocket being lined with resilient shock absorbing material.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein each said beam assembly comprises an I beam above, a channel beam below, and a series of angularly disposed supports, welded to the under surface of the I beam and to the outer faces of said flanges, one series to each flange of the channel.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said shock absorbing support comprises one beam assembly extending through said common center and having a length approximately equal to a diameter of said shock absorbing support and a plurality of beam assemblies, each approximately equal in length to a radius of said shock absorbing support, and spaced radially about said common center.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein each of said adjustable supporting means comprises a base plate, selectively clampingly engageable with its beam assembly and a pair of vertical supports on said base plate, gusset means for said vertical supports, said tongue being mounted through said vertical supports.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein said base plate includes a pair of L shaped members, extending beneath an upper portion of said beam assembly, one on each side thereof, and a plurality of bolts through said base plate and L shaped members for selectively clampingly engaging said each of the adjustable supporting means to its beam assembly.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein each said pocket includes a plurality of studs for retaining said shock absorbing material therein.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS ROY D. FRAZIER, Primary Examiner FRANK DOMOTOR, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 248-358 

